Repair Cafe Returning to Tuscaloosa Public Library After First Event’s Success

Residents of West Alabama will once again have the opportunity to have their broken items fixed up at no cost when the Repair Cafe returns to the Tuscaloosa Public Library next month.

As the Thread previously reported, TPL hosted the community's first Repair Cafe in late January, where 35 volunteers helped 145 people extend the lives of electronic devices, small appliances, torn clothing, broken jewelry, furniture, bicycles and more.

The three dozen volunteers diagnosed and repaired these items at no charge, and also did their best to teach the repair skills to those who brought the broken items in.

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The event and others like it keep items out of landfills, save money for consumers, and instill a sense of community belonging in those who participate.

"We attempted fifty repairs, and 85% were successful or partly successful. We weighed the repaired items and found that 166.2 pounds of trash had been saved from the landfill. We solicited donations in cash and through Venmo and raised $190," a library spokesperson said in a press release. "One of our young patrons with a damaged scooter was the first successful repair; she was thrilled as she scooted out of the door. Other items included a treasured handcrafted lamp, a radio from the 1930s, a cuckoo clock, an oven door, a snowglobe, two typewriters, and a Playstation II."

After great feedback praising the wealth of knowledge and repair skills available at no charge, TPL has announced plans to bring the event back next month, on Saturday, March 22nd from noon until 3 p.m. at the TPL Main Branch on Jack Warner Parkway.

The library is seeking volunteers with practical repair skills to make the event work! Anyone interested can contact Kayla Sikes at 205-345-5820 ext. 1255 or email ksikes@tuscaloosa-library.org.

"We believe in the power of community collaboration," Sikes said. "The Repair Cafe is not just about fixing things; it's about building relationships and promoting a more sustainable way of living. We invite everyone in Tuscaloosa to join us and be part of this inspiring event."